PONTIAC, Mich., September 21, 2022 – The amazing season of car shows comes to a high-speed finish when the second annual American Speed Festival (ASF) kicks off on Thursday, September 29 at M1 Concourse in Pontiac.  ASF is a rare opportunity to see some of the most iconic performance cars from Shelby, Cobra and Ferrari, along with vintage Indy cars, historic stock cars and modern-day supercars perform on the 1.5-mile M1 Concourse Speed Ring.
The American Speed Festival begins Thursday, September 29 and runs through Sunday, October 2 at M1 Concourse (1 Concourse Dr. Pontiac, MI 48341). Unlike most other car events, ASF features on-track activities Friday and Saturday on the 1.5-mile Champion Motor Speedway circuit.  Saturday night is the Checkered Flag Ball, a fundraiser for Checkered Flag Challenge, M1’s philanthropic arm. Sunday is the Speed & Style Expo that is a fusion of art and car shows.  ASF is curated and judged, with awards to be given in each car class and an overall Best in Show honoree. Patrons vote for People’s Choice awards. Recipients are announced at 3:00 p.m. Sunday.  Additional information and tickets https://link.edgepilot.com/s/1df68fce/8mmq6hhlUU29VUWJUKuwJA?u=http://www.m1concourse.com/checkered-flag-challenge.
This year’s Master of Motorsports is legendary designer, author, and photojournalist Peter Brock. Brock will be at the Drive & Dine Tour Thursday night and appears with David Hobbs in the Insiders’ Garage in the Maker’s Mark Pavilion at 12 noon on Saturday to discuss his days working with Shelby and Cobra, and at 12 noon on Sunday to discuss his work with Corvette and BRE. Brock receives his award at Saturday’s Checkered Flag Ball.
ASF salutes the 60th anniversary of Shelby American, the race team and high-performance vehicle shop founded by Carroll Shelby that made its mark on the racing scene with championships in international sports cars and at Le Mans. Nearly two dozen Shelby race cars will compete in the Speed Ring (Friday and Saturday) and three dozen, including those from the Cobra Experience Museum in California, will be on site for the Speed & Style Expo (Sunday).  Shelby Club Parade Laps take place on Saturday from 11:55 p.m. -12:45 p.m. on track.    
ASF is also celebrating 75 years of Ferrari with many on track Friday and Saturday and a Ferrari Club Parade Lap Friday from 12:25 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.  
Top 10 Must See Cars for ASF 2022
1.            1965 Cobra Daytona Coupe – Peter Brock edition
2.            1964 Shelby Cobra 289 Hard Top Coupe
3.            1990 Shelby Aurora Can Am V8
4.            1986 Lola T 8600 Shierson Domino’s – driven by Al Unser, Jr.
5.            1968 STP Lotus Turbine
6.            1972 Olsonite Eagle– driven by Bobby Unser
7.            2004 Ferrari Enzo
8.            1952 Ferrari 375 single seater– driven by Alberto Ascori
9.            2021 Ferrari Monza SP1
10.          Cobra 289 Ford vs. Ferrari “Ken Miles” Movie Car
Event Specific Details
•         ASF kicks off on Thursday, Sept. 29 with Drive & Dine, an intimate tour of a private car collection followed by a culinary experience at M1. The afternoon includes a curator-led tour of Stahl’s private collection which includes a Chrysler Turbine soon to be inducted into the National Historic Registry. Following the tour, guests return to enjoy wine, spirits, and cuisine, including an elegant wine tasting from Adobe Road Winery. Tickets are limited.
•         Friday and Saturday features 6 classes in the Speed Ring: Shelby/Cobra, Vintage Indy, Ferrari, Endurance Sports Cars, Feature Race Cars, and SuperCars. Track activities are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Friday and 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Saturday.  Also running on those days are Historic Go Karts with on track demonstrations each day.
•         Friday evening is the M1 Garage Reveal where guests enjoy rare access to select M1 Concourse garages and unlimited food and beverages from 6:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
•         Vintage Indy brings nearly 20 vehicles to M1’s track activities each day.  Vintage Indy’s Mike Lashmett talks with David Hobbs for Insiders’ Garage in the Maker’s Mark Pavilion Friday from 12 noon to 1:00 p.m.
•         Saturday evening, ASF honors legendary designer Peter Brock with the Master of Motorsports Award at the Checkered Flag Ball presented by McLaren Oakland, to benefit M1 Concourse’s philanthropic arm, the Checkered Flag Challenge (CFC). In partnership with the Pontiac Community Foundation, CFC funds M1 Mobility to address transportation challenges in Pontiac. Tickets to the Ball are limited and a separate ticket is available for the After Party with Alan Turner and the Street Horse Band, premium bar, and late-night menu. http://www.m1concourse.com/checkered-flag-challenge.
•         Sunday is a Speed & Style Expo with a static juried car show and an automotive-inspired art show. The Art Expo showcases a selection of some of the best automotive artists in the conference hall of the M1 Event Center. Artists include Nico Rousselet, Dave Chappel, Charles Maher, Alex Buchan, Steve Macy, John Baker, Robert Matthews, Garen Nicoghosian, and Francois Bruere, with others still to be announced. Among display cars is a Corvette XP87. Peter Brock discusses his history with Corvette Stingray on Sunday with David Hobbs at noon.  Included with Sunday’s ticket, guests can also take a ride in a performance vehicle on M1 Champion Motor Speedway with a professional M1 driving instructor.
Throughout the weekend there is live music by Vavoom, children’s activities including pedal cars, RC cars, slot cars, and food trucks and beverage tents to enjoy.  Available for purchase at M1 Concourse for ASF weekend only will be Adobe Road Wines and Carroll Shelby official licensed apparel and gifts from the Carroll Shelby Collection. Shop for merchandise at http://www.m1concoursestore.myshopify.com/
A detailed schedule of each day’s events is online listed by day at http://www.m1concourse.com/asf-overview.
Tickets for Friday and Saturday are $75 for 18 and older. Friday those 17 and under are free. Saturday ages 17-13 are $25 and 12 and under are free. Sunday is $50 for 18 and over and free for 17 and under.
Tickets for the Drive & Dine Tour on Thursday are $200 https://m1concourse.com/thursday-sept-29/
Tickets for the Garage Reveal on Friday are $100. https://m1concourse.com/friday-september-30/
Both events are limited.
Free Parking is included with every ticket. Parking and shuttle buses are located at 2000 S. Opdyke Road. Food and beverages are available for purchase on site. Tickets are available at https://m1concourse.com/asf-purchase-tickets/

The New M1 Concourse Car Club
To get 50% off tickets to American Speed Festival, the public can become a member of MI Concourse Car Club offering a “VIP Lifestyle with Track Time.”  In addition to discounts on M1 signature events, the new club offers exclusive access to events and discounts on M1 merchandise. Details online at http://www.m1concourse.com/carclub/

Media Contacts
For details and photos on featured vehicles; to arrange interviews with M1 leadership and car owners and to receive media credentials, contact Melissa Bunker, Campbell Marketing & Communications, mbunker@campbellmarketing.com and (586) 219-0094.